Betaab turns 43: Dilip Thakur recalls how Dharmendra’s faith transformed Betaab into a classic | Exclusive
New Delhi: “A film is made with heart, not with money” – these words summed up Dharmendra’s conviction after watching the first trial of Betaab (1983). Unhappy with the initial cut, he refused to settle and insisted that the film be extensively reworked. Nearly 40 days of reshooting followed before the film finally took its definitive shape. The decision paid off, with Betaab emerging as one of 1983’s highest-grossing blockbusters.
Speaking exclsuively with News9 Digital on the film’s 43rd anniversary, veteran film journalist Dilip Thakur highlighted several lesser-known facts about the landmark film.
According to Thakur, Betaab marked the debut of Sunny Deol and Amrita Singh, instantly turning both into overnight stars. The film also carried historical significance as it featured Javed Akhtar’s first independently written screenplay after his split from Salim Khan, beginning a successful new chapter in his career as a solo writer.
Another major strength of the film was its memorable soundtrack by RD Burman, whose music became immensely popular and played a significant role in the film’s success. Thakur also pointed out a little-known fact: the film’s muhurat (launch ceremony) was performed by Prakash Kaur, Dharmendra’s first wife.
The film’s publicity campaign was equally innovative for its time. Instead of relying on conventional film stills, the makers commissioned exclusive photo shoots, creating a fresh and distinctive promotional look that stood out from other releases of the era.
Released on 5 August 1983, Betaab established Sunny Deol as a leading star and remains one of Hindi cinema’s most successful debut films.
Thakur also recalled an amusing anecdote shared by Dharmendra on Kapil Sharma’s Show, where Dharmendra and Sunny Deol appeared together on two different occasions. During one episode, around the release of Ghayal Once Again—when the conversation turned to Sunny’s son entering films and comparisons with Sunny’s own debut—Dharmendra reminisced about the making of Betaab.
He revealed that Sunny was extremely shy and reserved, especially while filming romantic scenes with his first leading lady, Amrita Singh. Sunny often became self-conscious during such sequences. Dharmendra jokingly remarked, “If it were me, I would have dived right into it!”, humorously suggesting that he would have performed those romantic scenes with much greater ease and confidence.
According to Thakur, Sunny Deol’s reserved nature was well known within the film industry. Except for his later on-screen chemistry with Dimple Kapadia, he generally maintained a restrained approach in romantic scenes, which became part of his screen image.
Looking back at the early 1980s, Thakur noted that Betaab was released during a period when several star sons were being launched in quick succession. Among actors such as Kumar Gaurav, Sanjay Dutt, Rajiv Kapoor, and Mohnish Bahl, it was Sunny Deol and Sanjay Dutt who went on to enjoy long-lasting careers as leading stars. Kumar Gaurav’s career gradually lost momentum, while Rajiv Kapoor struggled to establish himself as a successful hero. Mohnish Bahl, who debuted as a leading man in Teri Baahon Mein opposite Ayesha Dutt, eventually found lasting success through his memorable negative role in Maine Pyar Kiya.
More than four decades later, Betaab continues to be celebrated not only as Sunny Deol’s memorable debut but also as a film that exemplified Dharmendra’s unwavering belief that passion, conviction, and creative instinct—not just money—are what truly make a successful film.